The tinkle of the bell above the door of a small independently owned curiosity shop has a Pavlovian effect on me. I start salivating immediately. And the more I explore Utah, the more I find to salivate over. Utah has an amazing array of culturally diverse shops, festivals, events and other distractions. Been There, Done That is my forum for sharing with you some of the great places and/or events that I’ve discovered right here in Utah.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Romance on the Rooftop

Provo Rooftop Concert Series: Meaghan Smith & Mindy Gledhill

I am—not so secretly—a vintage girl at heart. I love to look back at history through rose-colored glasses that give it a velvety patina of nostalgia. Things seemed simpler and more decent. That’s an illusion of course—as anything viewed through rose-colored glasses will be. My grandmother and grandfather would have pointed out that their survival in the 1930’s and 40’s was anything but simple.

I’ve been doing some reading, lately, about the plight of the British citizens during World War II. I’m embarrassed not to have known about the incredible deprivation and starvation these islanders faced. And I’m amazed at their resiliency and determination.

There’s a single phrase that has been popping up in design and décor a lot lately. “Keep Calm and Carry On.” You can find it on wall hangings, pillows, postcards, and even tissues. The phrase was initiated by the British Ministry of Information in 1939. Distinctive red posters were printed with the slogan in white block letters. They were meant for distribution across the British Isles to boost the morale of citizens during World War II. However, very few were actually distributed.

In 2000, one of the original posters was found at Barter Books, a second-hand bookstore in Northumberland. The phrase has taken on new meaning in current world-wide recession, and the slogan is getting much more attention that it ever did originally.

Even though I know that earlier eras were also filled with the worry and strife of life, it inspires me to know that people who endured hardships greater than mine did more than just survive; they thrived. And that means I can too.

All of that rambling has set the stage so that I can announce a new love: the music of Meaghan Smith! Her voice is as clear as a bell, and it has a sort of nostalgic poignancy. In her whimsical illustrated bio, Meaghan says she’s really into the music of the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s, and you can definitely hear that vintage sensibility in songs like “If You Asked Me” and “A Little Love.”

“Here Comes Your Man” fulfills all kinds of lazy summer day fantasies for me. (Check out the video and you’ll see what I mean.)

Here’s the great news! Now you can see Meaghan Smith live—on a rooftop. And as the extra scoop of ice cream on top of the Sundae, appearing with Meaghan is another favorite of mine, Mindy Gledhill! Meaghan and Mindy will be appearing as part of Provo’s Free Rooftop Concert Series.

When: Friday, June 3, 2011 8:00 p.m.Where: On the roof of the Provo Town Square parking terrace

The concert is free. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs to sit on. You can arrive as early as 6:00 and visit the food and craft vendors in the marketplace direction below the venue (in the Provo Town Square Courtyard).

Meaghan recorded a special tune just for Provoans which you can listen to here.

I am a friend of cinnamon's who has told me repeatedly that we should be BFF's. I am also a lover of vintage, Meaghan Smith, and am thinking about throwing an acoustic concert series in the hills behind my house.

You'll have to visit Cinnamon, meet me, and then we can wear vintage to my concert series.